Iraq: Curfew declared in capital Baghdad amid protests

By Haydar Karaalp

BAGHDAD (AA) - Curfew has been declared in Iraqi capital Baghdad on Monday amid ongoing anti-government protests.

The military's Baghdad Operations Command said in a written statement that the curfew will be imposed from midnight till 6 a.m. local time (0300GMT) until a further notice.

No information was disclosed regarding when the curfew would be lifted.

At least 75 people have been killed and more than 3,600 others injured since the second wave of protests began on Friday, according to human rights groups.

The first wave of protests in early October left 149 protesters and eight security personnel dead.

Anger has been building in Iraq in recent years due to rising unemployment and rampant corruption. Scores of people in the country have limited access to basic services such as electricity and clean water.

According to World Bank figures, Iraq's youth unemployment is around 25%. It is also ranked the 12th most-corrupt country in the world by several transparency organizations.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat